Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu, center, with his son, bottom left, shakes hands with officials from the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, Libya, upon his arrival Sunday, July 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev) less

Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu, center, with his son, bottom left, shakes hands with officials from the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, Libya, upon his arrival Sunday, July 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Sergey ... more

Photo: Sergey Ponomarev

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Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu, center, his wife Sare, second right, and his son, left, are seen upon their arrival to rebel-held Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, July 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Selcan Hacaoglu)

Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu, center, his wife Sare, second right, and his son, left, are seen upon their arrival to rebel-held Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, July 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Selcan Hacaoglu)

Photo: Selcan Hacaoglu

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ADDING NAME AND AGE OF CHILD FIVE-YEAR OLD BALKAN DAVUTOGLU - Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu, center, his wife Sare, second right, and his five-year old son, Balkan Davutoglu, left, are seen upon their arrival to rebel-held Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, July 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Selcan Hacaoglu) less

ADDING NAME AND AGE OF CHILD FIVE-YEAR OLD BALKAN DAVUTOGLU - Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu, center, his wife Sare, second right, and his five-year old son, Balkan Davutoglu, left, are seen upon ... more

Photo: Selcan Hacaoglu

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ADDING NAME AND AGE OF CHILD FIVE-YEAR OLD BALKAN DAVUTOGLU - Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu, center, his wife Sare, second right, and his five-year old son, Balkan Davutoglu, left, are seen upon their arrival to rebel-held Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, July 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Selcan Hacaoglu) less

ADDING NAME AND AGE OF CHILD FIVE-YEAR OLD BALKAN DAVUTOGLU - Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu, center, his wife Sare, second right, and his five-year old son, Balkan Davutoglu, left, are seen upon ... more

Photo: Selcan Hacaoglu

Image 5 of 5

Turkey recognizes Libya rebels, promises more aid

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BENGHAZI, Libya -- Turkey's foreign minister recognized Libya's rebel leaders as the country's legitimate representatives and promised them an additional $200 million in aid during a visit Sunday.

The visit by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu marked Turkey's strongest show of support yet for the opposition forces trying to out Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Turkey, a regional power, initially balked at the idea of military action in Libya.As a NATO member, Turkey is now supporting the alliance's airstrikes against targets linked to the Gadhafi regime.